Led nail clipper

ABSTRACT

A lighting device for use in combination with a nail clipper and cutting pliers is disclosed. The lighting device comprises a casing defining an angular front wall having an electric power source, a switch and a light-emitting element all integrally assembled and electrically connected within the casing. A radiation surface is mounted within the angular front wall for transmitting illumination light emitted from the light-emitting element wherein means for removably attaching the casing to either the nail clipper or cutting pliers are provided whereby the angle defined by the front wall positions the illumination light emitted from the light-emitting element for illuminating a blood vein or nerve through the animals nail such that the user does not strike or nick the blood vein or nerve during a cutting operation.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lighting device attachment to acutter useful as a nail clipper for trimming nails of an animal, such asa dog or cat. More particularly, it relates to a lighting deviceconfigured for use in combination with a nail clipper that provides alight source to illuminate the blood vein of the animal's nail providinga visual means for cutting the nail at a length that avoids nicking theblood vein which may result in bleeding and/or injury to the animal.

2. Description of the Related Art

Most animals dislike having their nails clipped. Many dogs object tonail cutting because someone has clipped their nails too short in thepast and hurt them. Unlike human toenails, dogs' toenails have a nerveand a blood vein inside them. Often-times the animals squirm and movearound making it difficult to clip off the desired amount. When cut tooshort, it causes pain and bleeding thus injuring the animal.

Therefore, it is desirable to have a tool or tools to easily and safelytrim constantly elongating nails on animals that require such trimmingwithout cutting into the blood vein or nerve. The tool of choice in mostcases is the conventional nail clipper which conventionally features twoopposing blades biased away from each other and which communicate whenthe bias is overcome by activation of a lever attached thereto. Theblade surfaces meet and cut the nail which is first inserted in betweenthe two blades.

Currently, conventionally used nail clippers depend upon the naturalvision of the user to see the nail which is intended for cutting, andplace it properly in the very small area in between the two opposingcutting blades of the clipper. Placing the nail too far into the bladeswill cause too much to be removed resulting in injury. Conversely,placing too little of the nail to be cut into the clipper causes toolittle to be cut away requiring a second and more detailed cut placingthe blades closer to the blood vein or nerve creating a greater risk ofinjury to the animal.

As is obvious, it is imperative for the user to be able to see the nailand surrounding surface clearly, to determine the amount to be cut fromthe nail and to determine what areas not to cut which would result ininjury. It is equally imperative for the clipper user to be able toclearly view the blood vein and nerve within the nail when inserted intothe nail clipper to determine that the proper amount is placed into thejaws of the clipper. Currently, the user must depend on his good visionand ability to focus on the nail and work area of the clipper to reachthe proper conclusion on cutting.

However, current nail clipping devices only provide a cutting areaactivated by a lever wherein the user must attempt to see what is beingcut unaided. As such, there exists a need for an easily andinexpensively manufactured lighting device that is attachable duringmanufacture of nail clippers, or with an attachment means allowing thelighting device to be attached to conventionally used and owned nailclippers.

SUMMARY

A lighting device for use in combination with a nail clipper and cuttingpliers is disclosed. The lighting device comprises a casing defining anangular front wall having an electric power source, a switch and alight-emitting element all integrally assembled and electricallyconnected within the casing. A radiation surface is mounted within theangular front wall for transmitting illumination light emitted from thelight-emitting element wherein means for removably attaching the casingto either the nail clipper or cutting pliers are provided whereby theangle defined by the front wall positions the illumination light emittedfrom the light-emitting element to illuminate a blood vein or nervethrough the animals nail such that the user does not strike or nick theblood vein or nerve during a cutting operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are not to scale and are only for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional nail clipper;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lighting device in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the conventional nailclipper shown in FIG. 1 showing the mounting of the lighting deviceshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another conventional nail clipper;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a lighting device inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the lighting device shown inFIG. 5 attached to the conventional nail clipper shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a nail clipper with lighting device inaccordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the nail clipperwith lighting device shown in FIG. 7 illustrating blade replacement; and

FIG. 9 is another fragmentary exploded perspective view of the nailclipper with lighting device shown in FIG. 7 illustrating batteryreplacement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a conventional nail clipper. Theconventional nail clipper 20 includes a stationary handle member 22, apivoting handle member 24, and a cutting blade 30 connected to beactuated by the pivoting handle member 24. In effect, the cutting blade30 is similar to that of a guillotine. A cover or top wall 32 secures anail holder 18 to the lower front portion of stationary handle member 22by screws 28. As shown in FIG. 1, the forward portion of stationaryhandle member 22 has top and bottom walls 32 and two opposite side walls36 which form a generally rectangular passage in which nail holder 18 isstationarily mounted along with a cutting blade 30 which is slidablyreceived in generally overlapped relation with nail holder 18 to slideagainst the inside surfaces of walls 32 and 36.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 there are shown perspective views of alighting device in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 2 shows an example of a structure of a semiconductorlighting device 40 having an electric power source 52, a switch 50 and alight-emitting element 48 such as a light-emitting diode all integrallyassembled within a casing 42. A radiation surface 58 transmits theillumination light emitted from the light-emitting element 48incorporated in the lighting device 58. The radiation surface 58 isformed of a transparent resin material or the like. It is effective toperform surface processing on the radiation surface 58 to obtaindirected or focused light. It is also effective to provide a lens.Although FIG. 2 shows the case where the radiation surface 58 is formedon the surface of the casing 42 of the lighting device 58, it is amatter of course that the lighting device may have such a form that theradiation surface 58 projects from the surface of the casing 42. In viewof reliability and life, it is practical to use a light emitting diode(LED) as the light-emitting element 48. Although the switch 50 may be ofthe momentary contact type or of the bistable type, the latter is moreconvenient in view of its operating property.

Turning once again to FIGS. 2 and 3 the semiconductor lighting device 40is removably attached to the stationary handle member 22 of theconventional nail clipper 20 by utilizing the same threaded inserts (notshown) provided for screws 28. More specifically, the casing 42 definesan aperture channel 46 sufficiently sized to allow the lower frontportion of stationary handle member 22 to slidably engage into when thescrews 28 are removed. The aperture channel 46 of the casing 42 defineseither two threaded inserts or screw holes 44 through a top wall 60which are located to align with the threaded inserts used by the screws28 when the casing 42 is fully inserted onto the lower front portion ofstationary handle member 22. Slightly longer screws 29 and washers 56are then used in lieu of the screws 28 for securely attaching the casing42 to the lower front portion of the stationary handle member 22, asshown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 2, the light emitting element 48 is mounted withincasing 40 with the radiation surface 58 pointing at an angle defined bya front wall 62 of casing 40. When in use the angle defined by frontwall 62 positions the illumination light emitted from the light-emittingelement 48 to illuminate the blood vein or nerve through the animalsnail (not shown) as will be more fully described below. It should beappreciated that the light-emitting element 48 is chosen of sufficientintensity and frequency to allow the user to visually detect the bloodvein and/or nerve when the illumination light directly hits and passesthrough the nail. In operation, the nail clipper 20 has a generally teardrop shaped aperture 26 there through in the portion thereof protrudingoutwardly beyond cover 32 to receive and position an animal nail byusing the illumination light to position the nail portion to be cut suchthat it does not strike or nick the blood vein or nerve. The user thenengages switch 50 thereby turning on the light emitting element 48. Oncethe animal nail to be cut is positioned by the user using the lightemitting element 48, the blade 30 passes across opening 26 when theclipper is manually actuated by squeezing of handle 24 toward handle 22against the bias of a tension coil spring 30.

Referring to FIG. 3, the semiconductor lighting device 40 defines aremovable back wall 54 of casing 40 for removal and replacement ofelectric power source 52. By way of example and not of limitation, theelectric power source 52 may be a lithium ion button battery.Additionally, it should be understood that the electric power source 52,switch 50 and light-emitting element 48 are all electrically connectedto each other as is commonly known in the electrical arts. Lastly, aftercutting the animal's nail or nails the user once again engages switch 50thereby turning off the light emitting element 48 which in turn savesbattery power.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another conventional nail clipper in theform of cutting pliers. As shown in FIG. 4, the cutting pliers 62 aredefined by two levers, 64 and 66 articulated to each other on an axis 72and kept spread apart by a spring 68, characterized in that one of thelevers 64 defines a blade 78 on which the blade is fixed in a movablemanner by use of a screw 70 and nut 76 combination.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of another lighting device 40a in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Thestructure of the semiconductor lighting device 40 a has the electricpower source and switch (not shown), and the light-emitting element 48all integrally assembled within a slightly different casing 42 a fromthe previously described casing 42. The difference in casing 42 a isthat it is more elongated and defines a single through-hole 44 a along atop wall 60 a for receiving the existing screw 70 and nut 76 used withthe cutting pliers 63 shown in FIG. 4. It should be understood that allother electrical and optical features of semiconductor lighting device40 a are the same as previously described for semiconductor lightingdevice 40.

Turning to FIG. 6, the semiconductor lighting device 40 a is removablyattached to the cutting pliers 62 by utilizing the same hole (not shown)provided for screw 70 and nut 76 using the through-hole 44 a defined bycasing 42 a. Before the screw 70 and nut 76 are tightened, the lightemitting element 48 is adjusted to shine through the space 74 defined bythe cutting ends of levers 64 and 66. The cutting operation isessentially as described before with the user utilizing the illuminationlight to detect the blood vein or nerve of the animal thereby locatingthe blade 78 of the cutting pliers 62 to miss the blood vein and/ornerve when the levers are pulled together to cut the animal's nail.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a nail clipper with lighting device inaccordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 7 the nail clipper with lighting device 80 includes a stationaryhandle member 82, a pivoting handle member 84, and a cutting blade 86connected to be actuated by the pivoting handle member 84. Once again,the cutting blade 84 is similar to that of a guillotine. The lower frontportion 88 of stationary handle member 82 houses the switch 50 andlight-emitting element 48. The upper front portion 88 of stationaryhandle member 82 provides a generally rectangular passage 85 in whichcutting blade 86 may be slidably received in and out during a cuttingoperation.

Referring now to FIG. 9 there is shown a perspective view of the lowerfront portion 88 of nail clipper 80 wherein the electric power source52, switch 50 and the light-emitting diode 48 are all integrallyassembled within the lower front portion 88. The central portion 96 ofstationary handle member 82 defines a compartment for housing thebattery 50. As described above, the radiation surface 58 transmits theillumination light emitted from the light-emitting element 48incorporated within the lower front portion 88. Additionally, the bladeunit 86 slides out of compartment 85 for easy blade replacement, asshown in FIG. 10. Turning once again to FIG. 9, the lower front portion88 is removably detached from the stationary handle member 22 by use ofpress release lever 90 located along the side of the lower front portion88 for bulb, LED or battery replacement.

Referring to FIG. 10, the light emitting element 48 is mounted with theradiation surface 58 pointing at an angle defined by front wall 94 oflower front portion 88. When in use the angle defined by front wall 94positions the illumination light emitted from the light-emitting element48 to illuminate the blood vein or nerve through the animals nail (notshown). Once again, in operation, the nail clipper 80 has a generallytear drop shaped aperture 98 defined within blade 86 to receive andposition an animal nail. By using the illumination light to position thenail portion to be cut, the user engages switch 50 thereby turning onthe light emitting element 48. Once the animal nail to be cut ispositioned by the user using the light emitting element 48, the blade 86withdraws into rectangular compartment 85 when the clipper is manuallyactuated by squeezing of handle 84 toward handle 82. The nail isthereafter cut avoiding the nicking or slicing of the blood vein ornerve of the animal.

As is disclosed herein, a lighting device for use in combination with anail clipper provides the user with the capability to enhance the user'snatural ability to see both the nail to be clipped, the location of theblood vein and nerve, and, the working area of the clipper blades whichare in the field of view of the user during use of the clipper. Byenhancing the view of the blood vein and nerve in the nail as well asthe work area of the clipper, the user is provided a major improvementin both safety and utility when using a nail clipper.

The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appendedclaims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which comewithin the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to beembraced within their scope.

1. A lighting device for use in combination with a nail clipper having astationary handle member in association with a pivoting handle memberand a cutting blade connected to be actuated by the pivoting handlemember for cutting an animals nail by a user, comprising: a casingdefining an angular front wall having an electric power source, a switchand a light-emitting element all integrally assembled and electricallyconnected within said casing; a radiation surface mounted within saidangular front wall for transmitting illumination light emitted from saidlight-emitting element; and means for removably attaching said casing tothe stationary handle member during use of the nail clipper whereby theangle defined by said front wall positions the illumination lightemitted from said light-emitting element to illuminate a blood vein ornerve through the animals nail such that the user does not strike ornick the blood vein or nerve during a cutting operation.
 2. The lightingdevice according to claim 1, wherein means for removably attaching saidcasing to the stationary handle member comprises: said casing definingan aperture channel sized to allow the stationary handle member toslidably engage into said aperture channel wherein said aperture channelof said casing defines two screw holes located to align with threadedinserts defined by the stationary handle member for insertion andtightening of one or more screws thereby attaching said casing to thenail clipper.
 3. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein saidlight-emitting element is a light emitting diode.
 4. The lighting deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein said light emitting diode having anintensity and frequency to allow the user to visually detect the bloodvein and/or nerve when said illumination light directly hits and passesthrough the nail.
 5. The lighting device according to claim 1, whereinsaid radiation surface is formed of a transparent resin materialeffective to perform surface processing on said radiation surface toobtain directed or focused light.
 6. The lighting device according toclaim 1, wherein said casing defines a removable back wall for removaland replacement of said electric power source.
 7. The lighting deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein said electric power source is a lithiumion button battery.
 8. The lighting device according to claim 1 whereinsaid radiation surface projects from said angular front wall of saidcasing defining a lens.
 9. The lighting device according to claim 1wherein said switch is a bistable contact type.
 10. A lighting devicefor use in combination with cutting pliers having two levers articulatedto each other and kept spread apart by a spring characterized in thatone of the levers defines a blade on which the blade is fixed in amovable manner to the other lever by use of a screw and nut combinationfor cutting an animals nail by a user, comprising: a casing defining anangular front wall having an electric power source, a switch and alight-emitting element all integrally assembled and electricallyconnected within said casing; a radiation surface mounted within saidangular front wall for transmitting illumination light emitted from saidlight-emitting element; and means for removably attaching andpositioning said casing to the cutting pliers using the screw and nutcombination whereby the angle defined by said front wall positions theillumination light emitted from said light-emitting element toilluminate a blood vein or nerve through the animals nail such that theuser does not strike or nick the blood vein or nerve during a cuttingoperation.
 11. The lighting device according to claim 10, wherein meansfor removably attaching said casing to the cutting pliers comprises:said casing defining a through-hole to allow the screw and nutcombination of the cutting pliers to locate and tighten said casing tothe cutting pliers.
 12. The lighting device according to claim 11,wherein said light-emitting element is a light emitting diode.
 13. Thelighting device according to claim 13, wherein said light emitting diodehaving an intensity and frequency to allow the user to visually detectthe blood vein and/or nerve when said illumination light directly hitsand passes through the nail.
 14. The lighting device according to claim11, wherein said radiation surface is formed of a transparent resinmaterial effective to perform surface processing on said radiationsurface to obtain directed or focused light.
 15. The lighting deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein said casing defines a removable back wallfor removal and replacement of said electric power source.
 16. Thelighting device according to claim 16, wherein said electric powersource is a lithium ion button battery.
 17. The lighting deviceaccording to claim 11 wherein said radiation surface projects from saidangular front wall of said casing defining a lens.
 18. The lightingdevice according to claim 11 wherein said switch is a bistable contacttype.
 19. A nail clipper with lighting device for clipping animal nailsby a user, comprising: a stationary handle member housing a switch, alight-emitting element and an electric power source in a lower frontportion; a pivoting handle member connected to said stationary handlemember; a cutting blade connected to be actuated by said pivoting handlewherein an upper front portion of said stationary handle member providesa generally rectangular passage in which cutting blade may be slidablyreceived in and out during a cutting operation; and a radiation surfacemounted within said lower front portion for transmiting illuminationlight emitted from said light-emitting element wherein said illuminationlight emitted from said light-emitting element illuminates a blood veinor nerve through the animals nail such that the user does not strike ornick the blood vein or nerve during a cutting operation.
 20. The nailclipper with lighting device according to claim 19, further comprising:said lower front portion being removably detached from said stationaryhandle member by use of press release lever located along a side of saidlower front portion for light emitting element and battery replacement.